An ECU controls charging of a power storage device such that an SOC of the power storage device does not exceed a prescribed upper control limit. When an electrically powered vehicle moves in a downhill direction with an MG generating travel torque in an uphill direction on an uphill road (downhill-movement state), the ECU allows charging in which the SOC exceeds the upper control limit. Further, when a request to stop a system of the vehicle is made with the SOC exceeding the upper control limit, the ECU performs a discharge process of discharging the power storage device.

A travel controller executes a first correction process on a request value when the vehicle is traveling on an uphill road, and executes a second correction process on the request value when the vehicle is traveling on a downhill road. The first correction process corrects the request value such that the traveling speed is higher than that in a case in which the first correction process is not executed. The second correction process corrects the request value such that the traveling speed is lower than that in a case in which the second correction process is not executed. If hard braking of the vehicle is requested during execution of the first correction process, the travel controller sets a correction amount of the request value to a lower value than that in a case in which hard braking of the vehicle is not requested.

When a brake is turned on during travel of a hybrid vehicle, a required braking force required for a drive shaft is set based on a brake depression amount, a base rotation speed of an engine is set based on the required braking force, a shift stage is set based on the base rotation speed and a vehicle speed, a target rotation speed of the engine is set based on the shift stage and the vehicle speed, and the engine, the first motor, and the second motor are controlled such that the engine operates at the target rotation speed and the required braking force acts on the drive shaft.

A method of substantially preventing road speed excursions while traversing a road grade includes: determining, by a controller, a predicted over speed for a vehicle during an upcoming downhill grade based on a difference between a predicted engine braking power of the vehicle and an amount of braking power that substantially prevents a speed of the vehicle from exceeding a speed threshold; and responsive to the determination, controlling, by the controller, one or more components of the vehicle to substantially prevent the vehicle from exceeding the speed threshold.

An anti jerk control system and method of an eco-friendly vehicle are provided to prevent a driver from sensing a difference in vehicle starting at an initial stage when the vehicle is parked on a downhill road. The anti-jerk control method uses a motor as a driving source and includes calculating an actual speed of the motor, calculating a model speed of the motor, and acquiring a gradient of a road, on which the vehicle is located, using a gradient detector. Additionally, the method includes determining a speed offset value that corresponds to the acquired gradient, compensating the model speed by the speed offset value, and calculating a motor vibration component using a difference between the compensated model speed and the actual speed of the motor. Then, anti-jerk compensation torque is calculated using the calculated motor vibration component.

A vehicle control apparatus based on a precise load level using a GPS includes: a load level calculator to determine a load level of a road based on GPS information; a load level controller that classifies the road into a plurality of regions based on the determined load level and differentially controls an engine power output for each of the regions; and a storage to store a map for the engine power output for each of the regions.

A vehicle driving apparatus, configured to drive a vehicle including first and second wheels, includes first and second motors, first and second power transmission mechanisms, and a controller. The first motor is configured to generate first driving torque that rotates the first wheel. The second motor is configured to generate second driving torque that rotates the second wheel in a direction same as a direction in which the first wheel is rotated. The first and second power transmission mechanisms are configured to transmit the first and second driving torque from the first and second motors to the first and second wheels, respectively. The controller is configured to perform torque distribution control in a case where a gear rattle occurrence condition is satisfied. The torque distribution control drives the first motor to thereby decrease the first driving torque and drives the second motor to thereby increase the second driving torque.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

Disclosed are a control method for a hydraulic retarder, and a control system. The method includes: acquiring a slope of a downhill road segment ahead of a vehicle; determining whether an absolute value of the slope is greater than an absolute value of a slope for which a braking force is not required; if so, predicting a required braking force and oil amount for the vehicle at a steady speed; predicting, according to the oil amount, oil filling time and a distance between the vehicle and an origin of the above road segment at the start time of oil filling of the hydraulic retarder; in the case that the actual distance of the vehicle is equal to a predicted distance, starting oil filling; and upon the vehicle reaching the origin of the road segment, starting braking. The present disclosure can lower wear of brake pads and reduce vehicle running costs.

A vehicle control apparatus based on a precise load level using a GPS includes: a load level calculator to determine a load level of a road based on GPS information; a load level controller that classifies the road into a plurality of regions based on the determined load level and differentially controls an engine power output for each of the regions; and a storage to store a map for the engine power output for each of the regions.